lifespan on S4Rs stock clutch

[jesse370]

The springs seemed fine, but I really have no frame of reference as to what a fresh or brand new spring would feel like in relation to the ones on my bike. I was thinking that the springs could be the problem but after putting a caliper on the fibers I only have less then .5mm of friction material left. Again granted I have no frame of reference as to what a brand new fiber should be at....

[Howie]

The springs seemed fine, but I really have no frame of reference as to what a fresh or brand new spring would feel like in relation to the ones on my bike. I was thinking that the springs could be the problem but after putting a caliper on the fibers I only have less then .5mm of friction material left. Again granted I have no frame of reference as to what a brand new fiber should be at....

If they are not less than 36.5 mm and straight they are good.

[jesse370]

yeah I'm at 28-30mm....

looks like its time for a upgrade 

[Howie]

yeah I'm at 28-30mm....

looks like its time for a upgrade 

Are they the origional springs?  It just dawned on me that you may have change to aftermarket springs.  In that case the spec may or may not be valid, so I would check with that manufacturer.

[jesse370]

Are they the origional springs?  It just dawned on me that you may have change to aftermarket springs.  In that case the spec may or may not be valid, so I would check with that manufacturer.

OH I just realized you are talking about the springs and I'm talking about my fibers.

I have to put a caliper on them tomorrow after work to give you a idea on that.

[Howie]

You might also consider talking to your dealer.  If you are not a stunter, drag racer or in need of an automatic transmission  the wear on your clutch is abnormal.  Though worn clutch is not warranty, if the wear is from another defect it is.  The 2.8 spec on the frictions is also a service limit when inspecting and, I'm sure, is conservative and you should not be getting that extreme slippage. 

Most likely causes for abnormal wear and slipping besides the rider are:

Lack of free play at the lever (I don't know if there is or how to on your master).  Defect if you didn't touch it.
Weak springs.  If they are original this is a defect.
Plates sticking in basket.  Unlikely in your case looking at the photos.
Sticking pushrod.  Defect

[Speeddog]

All the plates clean and dry when you pulled them out?

For the clutch to give up suddenly like that... something fishy there.

Are you sure nothing happened to the clutch when you tipped over?

That basket's a bit beat up, but not ready for replacement from what I can see in that pic.

Also, we're assuming that's the original clutch... it may not be...

Can you shoot a better-focused pic of those plates?

[jesse370]

All the plates clean and dry when you pulled them out?

For the clutch to give up suddenly like that... something fishy there.

Are you sure nothing happened to the clutch when you tipped over?

That basket's a bit beat up, but not ready for replacement from what I can see in that pic.

Also, we're assuming that's the original clutch... it may not be...

Can you shoot a better-focused pic of those plates?

All of the plates were clean and dry, they were rusty and everything but clean and dry

Yeah I'm positive nothing happened to the clutch when the bike tipped over in my garage, only the very bottom of the clutch cover had a scratch on it, and didn't bend or anything....that clutch cover is burly as hell.

My thought process for replacing the basket was I had no clue what caused this so I wanted to replace anything that came in contact with the clutch so that I KNOW I have a reliable setup and won't have more issues 5k down the road.  I know its flawed thinking but I just want to know that what ever caused it has been removed.

I would HOPE its the original clutch, I bought the bike from my local ducati dealer when it had 800 miles on it (he was still a baby) And I put 4k on it in a year.

I can try to shoot a better picture, my camera was getting all messed up trying to focus on the friction material for some reason.

When I went out last night to look at everything again I took a really good look at my stock clutch cover....The inside of it is coated in friction material, this was something I looked over when I was installing my clutch cover because this was the first time I was opening up a ducati clutch and I figured thats what it would look like. Looking back on it now, I think the previous owner or someone at the dealership was probably hamfisted when it comes to a clutch. I had noticed my engagement point on the clutch getting farther out, but again I just assumed everything was fine because the bike was so new and it ran great. And the engagement was farther out, but not to a point that I would've thought this was a issue to be concerned with....

Speeddog, I'm looking at overkill as far as replacing stuff for some piece of mind, if I leave the basket alone will that effect the lifespan of the new clutch? Its not that much more money to add one of those in if everything will last longer in the end. While I'm in there I'm going to replace the pressure plate and springs also and with that the plates and basket I'm flirting with slipper clutch territory.
And thats another thing that I'm thinking about, in the LONG term would it be better to spend the extra coin and drop a slipper in there? I was looking at that motowheels unit for a little over a grand with plates and fibers.

[LA]

At about 26,000 mi. and I believe I'm on the fourth set of clutch plates. I think I got about 6500 out of the OEM's. The red Barnetts that you can get from Chris at Ca-Cycle Works work well, but not as long as the OEM units I believe. OEM units are on the order of $100 more than the Barnetts.

I think the thickness of the unused fibers is something like .135" - the stack height is probably too short for the springs to make the unit lock up completely.

I went with the DP pressure plate that comes with buttons and stainless springs - under $200 I think. Your basket should be good for several clutch packs before it's done for.

I also used a Yoyodyne slipper on my old S4R and it worked very well and cheap tool. The plates I used with it were the red Barnetts and didn't last much over about 6,000 either.

Many people get a whole lot more mileage on a clutch, But I can't seem to do it. I use a 14t front sprocket and I don't slip the clutch much to pull off. I also always go to neutral at stops too.

LA

[Bill in OKC]

My s4rs clutch slipped pretty bad stock.  I put a vented cover on - for looks - and then I could hear it slipping when I cranked on the gas in first gear.  I replaced the stock springs with Motowheels SS - for looks - but the slipping stopped with the new springs.  I've only got 4500 miles on my bike so I don't know how long the clutch will last - so far so good.

[jesse370]

I talked to the guys at motowheels and they brought up the same point you just touched on. With gear I'm a duce and a half, and couple that with my bike and those springs may be at the limit of what they can hold?

I dunno, ordering parts as we speak

[Desmo Demon]

With gear I'm a duce and a half, and couple that with my bike and those springs may be at the limit of what they can hold?

With gear, I'm around 260-270 and don't have any problems with the clutches on my ST2 (38k miles) and the 748 (17k miles). The newest members of the family to hit the road, the '87 Paso, '01 M900ie, and another '98 ST2 don't slip either, so I sure wouldn't think it is a spring/pressure plate issue.......Heck, in 2005 my wife and I road 2-up on the ST2 for about 9k miles.......and that was about 500 pounds with both of us in gear. The clutch never slipped the first time.

[jesse370]

I think they were thinking it could've been a contributing factor....I'm grasping at straws but to me it kinda made sense, the bike makes a ton of power and I ride in what I like to consider a state of controlled aggression.

But in the end I have no real clue WHAT caused it and WHAT didn't, all I do know is I have a motowheels slipper on the way with surflex plates and when I get my bike back together will be a happy day.


THANKS SO MUCH FOR EVERYONE THAT TRIED TO HELP ME TROUBLE SHOOT THIS ISSUE. You guys rule.

[LA]

I'm sure you will enjoy the slipper clutch, but they are somewhat difficult to install. $175 and 30 min. and you're back on the road with a new clutch pack. The clutch basket looked bad, but wasn't. That's pretty much normal wear for the miles you have.

OEM springs weren't your problem, but new clutch packs come with new springs too.

If you really back it into turns you will like the slipper clutch. The only thing I didn't like was when I killed my battery. You can't bump start one.

LA

[jesse370]

My reason for doing this and replacing everything was ANYTHING that could've caused the issue is now in a parts bin. You can't put a price on piece of mind.....(well you can actually and its a little over a thousand bucks)

As for bump starting the bike. I already killed my battery on my Rs once, and was not able to bump start that damn bike. I burned myself out trying....Everytime I got going fast enough to bump it, the engine compression would just keep the motor locked up and drag the rear tire.

So if I do it again.....well I will just walk the hell home